"His mercies never come to an end" Lamentations 3:22

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O Sacred Heart, Now Wounded

Just came across the lyrics to a hymn, O Sacred Heart, Now Wounded, based on a poem written by Ber­nard of Clair­vaux sometime in the twelfth century.

Great words for Good Friday especially.

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.